Video evidence played in court shows Sen-const Hamilton reacted after seeing Mrs Kumantjara's hand appear from behind about 30cm from her face.

Another police officer who was there at the time told the court that in hindsight, Mrs Kumantjara should have been stopped from approaching Sen-const Hamilton from behind.

A police instructor also told the court that Sen-const Hamilton had acted according to her training.

The Alice Springs Magistrates court was told that the manouvre Sen-const Hamilton used on Ms Kumantjara is considered a low-level use of force.

A defence tactics instructor told the court that the police woman was in a position of disadvantage at the time, and had responded - taking into account information that Mrs Kumantjara had earlier slapped, punched and tried to choke police officers.